North Carolina State University Athletics
Panza, Stevenson, and Pack Gymnasts Honored at Wolfies
4/22/2011 12:00:00 AM | Women's Gymnastics
April 22, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - Jess Panza earned the H.C. Kennett award, head coach Mark Stevenson received the Frank Weedon award, and women’s gymnastics was recognized for winning the ImPACK competition at the Wolfie Awards, Monday, April 18 at Reynolds Coliseum.
Panza’s honor marks the second-straight year that a gymnast has taken home the award, given to NC State’s most outstanding female athlete (Taylor Seaman, 2010). The junior led NC State gymnastics to its ninth consecutive NCAA Regional appearance in 2011, helping the Pack to its highest team total since 1999 and narrowly missing an individual berth for the NCAA Championship.
Panza earned All-EAGL first team honors on bars, floor, and beam for her efforts during the season, and EAGL All-Tournament first team mentions for vault, bars, floor, beam, and all-around for her performance at the league championship meet. Panza finished eighth or better in every event at the EAGL Championship to claim a third place all-around finish. She was named EAGL Specialist of the Week on March 1st, and earned the EAGL Academic Award.
“We’re really proud of Jess for the way she’s worked out over the last three years,” said NC State head coach Mark Stevenson. “She’s performed at a high level, being a team leader and helping the team improve, but she also leads the team in work ethic and the desire to succeed.”
Stevenson claimed the Frank Weedon award, given for lifetime achievement. Recently, Stevenson wrapped up his 31st season as head coach of the Pack. In his career, he has taken NC State gymnastics to national prominence, scoring five conference championships and 23 NCAA Regional appearances. In 2010, he guided Taylor Seaman to NC State’s first All-American honor.
NC State gymnastics capped the night by winning the ImPACK competition for its dedication to community outreach, outstanding athletics, and hard work in the classroom. Pack gymnastics tallied the most points in competition history en route to the honor.
Community outreach initiatives undertaken by the team include visiting North Carolina Children’s Hospital as part of the N.C. Children’s Promise, participating in Wolfpack Blitz, a reading event for area students, hosting camps and clinics for young gymnasts, serving dinner for families in need during Christmas and Thanksgiving, and raising money to fight autism by co-hosting Beauty and the Beast with wrestling.
Brittany Vontz’s ACC postgrad scholarship and EAGL Scholar Athlete of the Year award helped in the academic portion of the contest, along with 10 other gymnasts receiving the EAGL Academic award.
“Outreach is important, because it teaches the kids that time spent helping others matters just as much as all of the hard work they put in academically and athletically,” said Stevenson. “A little time makes a world of difference to the people we can help. That the team was able to be recognized was very impressive to me.”
Players Mentioned
